How to Be Solo Skydiver - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jun 1, 2021 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

Links

Solo skydiving is a thrilling and potentially dangerous pursuit, requiring a high level of skill and experience. In order to safely undertake a solo skydive, a person must have the proper training, equipment, and attitude. Proper training includes taking a comprehensive ground school that covers all aspects of skydiving, such as aircraft exit procedures, freefall techniques, deployment of the parachute, emergency procedures, and general safety measures.

Equipment must meet minimum requirements of the skydiving organization and be inspected to ensure it is in proper working order. Finally, having the proper attitude is essential; skydivers must always be aware of their abilities and limitations and never take unnecessary risks. If all these elements are in place, then a solo skydiver can enjoy a safe and exciting experience.

Steps How to Become

Decide to become a skydiver. Make sure you have a good understanding of the risks associated with skydiving.
Find a reputable skydiving school and take their introductory course. Make sure the school has certified instructors and a proven safety record.
Get in touch with the USPA (United States Parachute Association) and obtain their membership and medical forms.
Obtain a medical exam from your doctor to make sure you are physically fit for skydiving.
Purchase your own equipment, such as a harness, helmet, altimeter, and reserve parachute.
Join the USPA and become a licensed skydiver. This will allow you to jump at dropzones across the country.
Practice packing your parachute and perform simulated jumps in a wind tunnel or at a trampoline facility to familiarize yourself with the feeling of freefall.
Take additional training classes to learn more advanced skills, such as flying formations and canopy piloting.
Attend skydiving competitions or participate in organized skydiving events such as boogies or camps.
Make your first solo skydive under the supervision of an experienced skydiver or instructor.

In order to stay ahead and competent as a solo skydiver, it is important to stay on top of the latest information related to the sport. This includes keeping up with changes in regulations, equipment and safety protocols. it is important to practice regularly, both in the air and on the ground.

Jumpers should continually challenge themselves by trying new maneuvers and pushing their limits, while maintaining a safe environment. In order to stay current and safe, skydivers should attend regular safety briefings and stay up to date with necessary maintenance for their equipment. By doing this, solo skydivers can ensure they are knowledgeable and prepared for every jump.

You may want to check Wing Suit Pilot, Skydiving Instructor Trainer, and Skydiving Flight Logistics Coordinator for alternative.

Job Description

Pre-Flight Preparation: Perform pre-flight checks of all necessary equipment, including parachutes, harnesses, and other equipment.
Free-Fall: Be able to safely execute free-fall techniques, such as proper body position and control of descent.
Canopy Flight: Execute proper canopy flight techniques, including turns, spirals, and landings.
Emergency Procedures: Be able to recognize and react appropriately to any potential emergency situation during a jump.
Weather Monitoring: Monitor weather conditions before, during, and after a jump to ensure safety.
Equipment Maintenance: Perform regular maintenance on equipment to ensure its safe and reliable operation for each jump.
Logbook: Maintain accurate records of jumps in a logbook for future reference.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of the skydiving environment and regulations
Knowledge of skydiving equipment
Ability to read and interpret weather conditions
Ability to prepare and pack a parachute
Ability to exit an aircraft and safely deploy a parachute
Ability to identify and avoid potential hazards
Ability to land with precision and safety
Ability to troubleshoot skydiving gear malfunctions
Understanding of basic aerodynamics and air currents
Excellent physical fitness and body control

Accurate evaluation of weather conditions is one of the most important skills for a solo skydiver to have. Wind and cloud cover are two of the major factors to consider when planning a successful jump. If the wind is too strong, it can cause turbulence that can make the skydiving experience more dangerous.

If cloud cover is too low, it can reduce visibility and can make it difficult to identify a safe landing zone. Poor weather conditions can also reduce the time available for the skydiver to complete the jump, increasing the chances of a premature end to the experience. Having the knowledge and experience to accurately assess the weather conditions before making a jump is essential for a solo skydiver to ensure a safe and successful experience.

Skydiving Flight Technology Specialist, Indoor Wind Tunnel Technician, and Indoor Wind Tunnel Instructor are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in solo skydiving?
What safety precautions do you take when skydiving?
How do you react to emergency situations while in the air?
What challenges have you faced while skydiving?
What is your experience with packing parachutes?
How do you stay focused and calm while skydiving?
Are you familiar with the different types of parachutes and their uses?
How do you troubleshoot a malfunction while in the air?
What steps would you take to ensure the safety of yourself and other skydivers?
What additional training or certifications do you have related to skydiving?

Common Tools in Industry

Parachute. A device used to control the descent of an individual skydiver during a jump. (Eg: Ram-Air parachute)
Altimeter. A device used to measure altitude and vertical speed. (Eg: Suunto AltiMeter)
Goggles. Protective eyewear used to protect the eyes from wind and debris. (Eg: Uvex Skyper S)
Radio. A communication device used to stay in contact with other skydivers and ground personnel. (Eg: Yaesu FT-2900R)
Helmet. A protective headgear used to protect the head in case of impact during a jump. (Eg: Uvex Skyper H)
Harness. A secure binding used to secure the skydiver to their parachute. (Eg: High Energy Sports Harness)
Jump Suit. A specialized outfit designed to reduce drag and increase visibility while in the air. (Eg: Fly Suit)
Reserve Parachute. A back-up parachute used in case of a malfunction with the primary parachute. (Eg: PD Reserve Parachute)

Professional Organizations to Know

United States Parachute Association (USPA)
British Parachute Association (BPA)
International Sport Parachuting Commission (ISPC)
World Air Sports Federation (FAI)
Canadian Sport Parachuting Association (CSPA)
Australian Parachute Federation (APF)
Skydivers Over Sixty International (SOSI)
International Bodyflight Association (IBA)
Parachute Industry Association (PIA)
Skydive America (SDA)

We also have Freefall Photographer/Videographer, Skydiving Flight Suit Technician, and Competition Judge jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Parachute. A device typically made of fabric or nylon, used for slowing the descent of a person or object to the ground from a great height.
Parachuting. The sport of jumping out of an aircraft and using a parachute to descend safely to the ground.
Freefall. The period of time during a skydive, where a skydiver is in the air and not yet deploying their parachute.
Altitude. The height of an object in relation to sea level.
Canopy. The fabric portion of a parachute, which inflates and slows the descent after deployment.
AAD (Automatic Activation Device). A device which is attached to a skydiver's parachute and automatically deploys it at a pre-set altitude.
Drogue. A small parachute attached to a skydivers harness, which slows the skydivers descent during freefall.
Reserve Parachute. A secondary parachute, which can be deployed in case of a failure with the main parachute.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Solo Skydiver?

Solo Skydiver is an online platform that connects skydivers with certified instructor pilots in order to book and schedule their skydiving adventures.

How many instructors are listed on Solo Skydiver?

There are currently over 500 certified instructor pilots listed on Solo Skydiver.

What kind of skydiving activities can I book through Solo Skydiver?

Solo Skydiver offers a variety of different skydiving activities such as tandem jumps, accelerated freefall (AFF) jumps, static line jumps, and coach-assisted freefall (CAF) jumps.

Are the instructor pilots certified?

Yes, all of the instructor pilots listed on Solo Skydiver are certified by the United States Parachute Association (USPA).

Are there any age restrictions for skydiving?

Yes, in order to skydive you must be at least 18 years old. Additionally, all participants must pass a physical examination and sign a liability waiver prior to skydiving.